Brain Attack: Prevention and Detection
Every four minutes, someone dies from a “brain attack” commonly known as a stroke. When blood flow to an area of the brain is cut off, brain cells are deprived of oxygen and begin to die.
“We use the saying ‘time is brain.’ If treated with clot-busting medication within three hours of onset, we can significantly reduce long-term disability for the most common type of stroke,” said Syed Shiraz Hyder, MD, CHI St. Alexius Health Neurologist. “That’s why it’s incredibly important for everyone to know the signs of a stroke and to call 9-1-1 immediately. “Things to look for include sudden numbness, weakness, confusion, trouble speaking, understanding or seeing, loss of balance or coordination and/or severe headache with no known cause,” said Dr. Hyder.